SPEECH BY SIR EDWARD GREY.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13055, 15 March 1911, Page 3

SPEECH BY SIR EDWARD GREY.

RELATIONS WITH GERMANY

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION

(Received March 15, 0.10 a.m.) *■ London, March 14. Sir Edward Grey replied, reitorathv that Mr Asquith's policy was to maintain in regard to European loffers the two-Power standard. Ihc I't.itcd States must not bo taken into account in the same way as a. lun-i^ai nation. He was opposed to tho motion because it ignored the expenditure ot <ther Powers. Our foreign relations were not strained. Referring to Hear yon BothmannHollwegs' friendly expression in December, Sir Edward said Britain desired cordial relations witli Germany subiect to the stipulation that when we made a nrtw friendship we carried with us existing ones. Some thought that the growth of armaments would lead to war, but it was more likely to end in a revolt by the masses against taxation. Regarding the suggested agreement with Germany he said it required careful handling, inasmuch as the fleet law must be executed on a bettor plan. A frank exchange of information would prevent surprises, bir Edward Grey eulogised Mr Taft s speooh on arbitration. He added that an agreement to refer everything to arbitration would rtiitail some risk, and as Mr Taft remarked, some sacrifice of national pride. Britain would bo delighted to receive such a sweeping proposal, but he should feel that it was so momentous and so far reaching in its possible) consequences as to require tho signatures of botli Governments and the deliberate and decided sanction of Parliament. That he believed could be obtained. (Tremomdous cheerinc.) Sir Edward Grey concluded by accepting Mr King's amendment, which was carried by 276 to 56.